Attache case with suspension folder device



J. ZALKIND Nov. 14, 1967 ATTACH}? CASE WITH SUSPENSION FOLDER DEVICE 2 sh ets-sheet 1 Filed June 24, 1965 INVENTOR JOSEPH ZALKIND ATTORNEY Nov. 14, 1967 J. ZALKIND 3,352,390

ATTACHE CASE WITH SUSPENSION FOLDER DEVICE Filed June 24, 1965 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOSEPH ZALKIND United States Patent O 3,352,390 ATTACHE CASE WiTH SUSPENSION FOLDER DEVICE Joseph Zalkind, 15 E. 18th St, New York, N.Y. 10903;

Minnie B. Zalkind and Sheldon S. Zalkind, executors of said Joseph Zalkind, deceased Filed June 24, 1965, Ser. No. 466,754 7 (:laims. (Ci. 1501.6)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to attach cases and more particularly to an attach case in combination with means for carrying suspension folders.

The invention provides a frame structure which can be attached to the case and detached therefrom and which can hold in suspension a plurality of removable individual hanging folders.

One difiiculty with compartmented attache cases is the fact that they use accordion or bellows type portfolio files. Such compartment construction does not permit the papers to be in a vertical plane when the bellows is expanded. The several articulated compartments of such a construction assumes an arcuate shape, only the innermost compartment remaining truly vertical, i.e. the compartments adjacent to the interior wall of the case cover. The remaining compartments have a progressive decreasing degree of slant which makes identification of subject matter inconvenient as well as withdrawal or insertion of papers. The entire arran ement lacks versatality since it is not possible to remove and resinsert various individual compartments.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the kind described in which a selection of hanging folders may be carried in an attach case.

It is another object of the invention to provide a construction such as to render access to such folders convenient.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a construction such that the suspension frame can be removed and will function to support suspended folders on a desk top or table top.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a construction which will be cheap to manufacture and durable as well as simple to operate.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the description to follow.

Briefly, the invention comprises a frame having a main panel or plate of generally rectangular shape which fits against the inner surface of one section of the case, being held there by any suitable clips so as to be attachable or detachable from the case. At the upper edge of the plate is a foldable yoke with side bar arrangement on which side bars the metal hanger bars of the files can be carried with notches encompassing the side bars in a manner similar to the usual mode of suspension in a file drawer. Thus, to close the case, the side bars are folded to retain the folders in packed condition. When the case is opened, the side bars are unfolded, extending horizontally, so that the folders can be spread in a slidable array on the side bars to make their contents accessible. Thus the unfolded condition of the side bars may have a dimension in excess of the thickness of the case in order to provide sufficient space for a slidable expanding of a series of folders in substantially the same way it is done in a file drawer. Adjacent the bottom edge of the plate is a foldable support member which can be locked in a horizontal position when the device is removed from the case so as to maintain the plate in a vertical plane on 3,352,399 Patented Nov. 14, 1967 a desk whereby the folders are held in the side bars accessible. Normally the support member is folded parallel to the plate when the device is carried in the case.

A detailed description now follows in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective of a case having two sections hingedly connected wherein one section holds a yoke comprising side bars for supporting suspension folders, the yoke being shown folded so that the bulk of the suspension means is reduced whereby the case can be closed,

FIG. 2 is a perspective showing the side bars extending outwardly,

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2 showing an elevation of the clips which holds the support means to the case section,

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the entire support means removed from the case and shown standing upright on a table or desk,

FIG. 5 is a magnified perspective showing the support member which renders the support means independently usable when removed from the case.

FIG. 6 is an elevation in section taken through 6-6 of FIG. 1 showing the support means folded with suspension folders compressed,

FIG. 7 is the same cross section in elevation as in FIG. 6 showing the support means extended with the suspended folders expanded,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of one portion of the support. means showing construction details,

FIG. 9 is a section through 99 of FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevation of a modified form of support means, FIG. 10a being a plan view;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective of another form of support means, and

FIG. 12 is an elevation of one side of the modified construction of FIG. 11 showing the folded condition.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional attache case is illustrated having sections 10 and 15 hingedly secured to each other and having side support braces 18 for holding the sections in open condition. One of the sections 10 has a plate 22, which may be of metal or hardboard or the like removably secured to it by means of swivel clips (FIG. 3) pivotally fastened as by rivets 28 to the main panel 30 of section 10 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The lower edge of the plate 22 rests in hooks 33 fixedly riveted to panel 30. It will thus be understood that clips 25 may be swung upwardly or downwardly to clear the side edges of plate 22, thus unlocking the plate which can then be lifted off hooks 33 and remove from the case.

Disposed at the sides of plate 22 are a pair of spaced triangular brackets 36 formed as a left and a right and having flanges 39 riveted to plate 22 adajacent the upper corners thereof. Reference is made to FIG. 8 showing details of the construction of the brackets which have bent flanges 42 extending inwardly of the construction. Pivotally carried by the bracket is a swinging suspension frame or yoke 46 of generally U-shape having a front bar 48 and side bars 50 through which rivets 53 are passed to provide pivotal mount. It will be apparent from comparison of FIG. 1 that the frame 46 may be swung vertically that is folded upwardly to provide for closure of the case sections. The frame 46 may be extended to hori zontal position by downward swinging until the side bars 50 abut, the flanges 42 to lock frame 46 against further downward movement. Thus the members 36 and 46 comprise a rectangular suspension frame means which may be folded or extended by pivotable action and which effects side bars comprising a flange 42 and a side bar 50 on each side to receive the notches 56 of suspension bars 58 of a conventional hanging folder 59 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Reference is made to FIGS. 6 and 7 showing how a plurality of folders is suspended with bar 46 infolded or extended condition. FIG. 6 shows the compressed condition of the folders, retained by bars 50 in raised position, ready for closure of the case. FIG. 7 shows the extended bars 50 with the folders slid out and expanded for easy access.

It will be apparent from the above that a series of folders may thus be carried integrally in the case with the case closed, such folders being maintained packed and locked in position by the vertical disposition of the yoke 46. On the other hand when it is desired to have access to the folder the yoke 46 is swung to horizontal position, after setting the case up opened.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 a stand bracket or footpiece is illustrated which comprises a yoke of wire rod having one end 61 rotative and slidable in a collar 62 coiled from a strip of metal which has an upright flange riveted to the plate 22. A spring 63 is inside the collar 62 and biases the yoke toward the right as viewed on FIGS. 4 and 5. The other coaxial end 64 of the yoke is rotative and slidable in a collar 65 similarly fastened to plate 22 by way of an integral flange on which is superimposed a shelf member 66 having an edge 67. Collar 65 is cut away at 68 so that the leg 69 can slide back and forth with respect to the collar when yoke 60 is horizontal. When the footpiece is to be swung to vertical position as shown in FIG. 1, it is first pushed to the left to compress the spring and to bring the leg 69 clear of the shelf, after which it is rotated to vertical position with leg 69 spring biased against edge 67, FIG. 2. When the footpiece is swung downwardly, the leg 69 swings below the edge 67 and the spring pushes the yoke toward the right so that the leg 69 is caught under the shelf 66 which locks it perpendicularly to plate 22 so that the plate can stand vertically on a table supported by the yoke 60 from falling forward, FIG. 4. The weight of folders on the suspension frame maintains a forward bias to prevent plate 22 from falling backwards. Thus the entire device can be removed from the case for independent use.

Referring now to FIG. 10 an increased extension of the side bars is possible by using a double joint construction. In such instance bars 72 are pivoted as on rivets '75 to the side brackets 36 and the outer ends of bars 72 have short angle knuckles 78 pivotally connected thereto to which knuckles a yoke 82 similar to yoke 46 is pivoted. It will thus be apparent that the construction comprising the bars 72, knuckle 78 and yoke 82 can be folded up in the direction of the arrows from the extended condition shown in FIG. 10 to the phantom line position when it is desired to close the case. The particular dimensions involved for thickness, lengths and widths of the bars and knuckles are of course a matter of design depending upon the degree of extension desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a further modification of the suspension means is disclosed in which an angle member is fastened at each side (one shown) of plate 22 adjacent the upper corners thereof. Such angle pieces have flanges 92 similar to the flanges 42 and extending arms 94 cut away at respective upper portions beyond flanges 92 and having respective fixed pins 97. A yoke is provided with side bars such as 103 each having a slot 106 in which a respective pin 97 protrudes. Thus the yoke 100 can slide and rotate with respect to the arms 94. The phantom position shown in FIG. 11 for the yoke will be understood to be that position in which the yoke 100 has been pushed toward plate 22 so that the upper edges of the side bars 103 at their fore portions are locked under respective flanges 92 against downward rotation. Thus the yoke is :maintained in horizontal position to support a series of hanging folders. The exploded view of FIG. 11 is to clarify the relationship of the parts and it will be appreciated that yoke 100 is at all times carried by arms 94- and not separated therefrom.

When it is desired to fold the yoke 100, as in closing the attach case, it is simply pulled away from plate 22 and swung down to the position shown in FIG. 12, the folders having been all pushed toward plate 22 at that time. Setting up the yoke so that folders can be slid outwardly on to it, is simply a matter of following the motion of the arrows A, B and C of FIG. 12. The arrow A indicates that the yoke is swung up above a horizontal position initially in order to make sure that the forward portions of the arms 103 are not impeded by the overhanging hanger bars of the folders. The yoke is then pushed inwardly in the direction of the arrow B until the forward portion is below a respective flange 92 and the yoke then swings downwardly in the direction of the arrow C locking it in horizontal position by abutment of flanges 92 with the bar portions 110.

It will be apparent that many changes are possible. For example, instead of a plate 22 a frame of metal bars could be used. Accordingly, I do not seek to be restricted to the exact illustration shown except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described for carrying a plurality of suspension folders, comprising an openable and closable case having a pair of hingedly joined sections having main panels and being effective to form an enclosure when said case is closed, a suspension means comprising a device detachably securable to the main panel of one section and having a top, bottom and side, and comprising spaced side bars adjacent the top and sides, foldable into position to enable closure of said case, and unfoldably movable to a position normal to said main panel, bracket members carried by said device to which said side bars are pivoted and said brackets having upper edges coextensive with upper edges of respective side bars in unfolded position of said side bars and having means engageable by said side bars to maintain alignment thereof with respective upper edges of said brackets when said side bars are in said unfolded position.

2. A device of the class described for carrying a plurality of suspension folders, comprising an openable and closable case having a pair of hingedly joined sections effective to form an enclosure when said case is closed, a suspension means enclosable within said closed case, a support means for securing said suspension means to one of said sections, said support means having spaced suspension elements extending from said one section to receive the hanger bars of a plurality of suspension folders and disposed to support said folders in suspension, said support means having footpiece means for maintaining predeter mined orientation thereof when removed from said case so that folders suspended therefrom are oriented in substantially vertical position.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, said footpiece com prising a yoke having a pair of coaxial ends carried rotatably and slidably in respective collars secured to said support means, a spring in one of said collars biasing said yoke towards the other of said collars, and said other collar being slotted to permit sliding thereinto by bias of said spring in a rotated position of said yoke, and a shelf adjacent said other collar engageable by said yoke to lock said yoke in rotated position.

4. A device of the class described for carrying a plurality of suspension folders, comprising an openable and closable case having a pair of hingedly joined sections effective to form an enclosure when said case is closed, one of said sections having a main panel, a suspension means enclosable within said closed case and comprising a plate and means for detachably securing said plate to said main panel, spaced brackets carried by said plate and side bars pivotally carried by respective brackets, to receive the hanger bars of a plurality of suspension folders and disposed to support said folders in suspenion in one pivoted position and to retain said folders on said brackets in another pivoted position.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4, said side bars comprising a yoke having a front bar sWingable upwardly to efiect a folded condition of said yoke for reduction of the bulk of said suspension means to permit closure of said case.

6. A device of the class described for carrying a plurality of suspension folders comprising an openable and closable case having a pair of hingedly joined sections effective to form an enclosure when said case is closed, a suspension means enclosable within said closed case, means for removably securing said suspension means to one of said sections, said suspension means comprising a suspension device extendable from said one section to receive the hanger bars of a plurality of suspension folders and disposed to support said folders in suspension when said case is opened, and being foldable to reduce the bulk of said suspension means for closing said case, and a footpiece means carried by said suspension means and being extendable to support said suspension means on a table when said suspension means is removed from said case, and being foldable to reduce the bulk of said suspension means when said suspension means is secured in said case.

7. A device of the class described for carrying a plurality of suspension folders, suspension means comprising a suspension device extendable to receive the hanger bars of a plurality of suspension folders and disposed to support said folders in suspension and being foldable to reduce the bulk of said suspension means, and a footpiece means carried by said suspension means and being extendable to support said suspension means on a table and being foldable to reduce the bulk of said suspension means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,681,128 6/1954 Staifa 190-41 2,800,907 7/1957 Jonas 12916 3,273,564 9/1966 Feldmahr 129-16 DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner. FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED FOR CARRYING A PLURALITY OF SUSPENSION FOLDERS, COMPRISING AN OPENABLE AND CLOSABLE CASE HAVING A PAIR OF HINGEDLY JOINED SECTIONS HAVING MAIN PANELS AND BEING EFFECTIVE TO FORM AN ENCLOSURE WHEN SAID CASE IS CLOSED, A SUSPENSION MEANS COMPRISING A DEVICE DETACHABLY SECURABLE TO THE MAIN PANEL OF ONE SECTION AND HAVING A TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE, AND COMPRISING SPACED SIDE BARS ADJACENT THE TOP AND SIDES, FOLDABLE INTO POSITION TO ENABLE CLOSURE OF SAID CASE, AND UNFOLDABLY MEMABLE TO A POSITION NORMAL TO SAID MAIN PANEL, BRACKET MEMBERS CARRIED BY SAID DEVICE TO WHICH SAID SIDE BAR ARE PIVOTED AND SAID BRACKETS HAVING UPPER EDGES COEXTENSIVE WITH UPPER EDGES OF RESPECTIVE SIDE BARS IN UNFOLDED POSITION OF SAID BARS AND HAVING MEANS ENGAGEABLE BY SAID SIDE BARS TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT THEREOF WITH RESPECT UPPER EDGES OF SAID BRACKETS WHEN SAID SIDE BARS ARE IN SAID UNFOLDED POSITION. 